Power Ranking the MLB's 9 Greatest On-Field Leaders

Every MLB team needs a great leader. This player may not always be the best player on the team, but it is someone that the rest of the team can rally around in tough situations.

Just three major league teams have captains, so players have the ability to step up into a leadership role with the other 27 teams. Some players have excelled in this role during the past season, while others have found it to be a daunting task and wilted under the pressure.

9) Jimmy Rollins

On a team with so many superstars, someone needs to take the lead. That role goes to 12-year MLB veteran Jimmy Rollins.

Having spent his whole career with the Philadelphia Phillies, Rollins knows the team's culture better than anyone else. He is able to lead his teammates with his performance on the field and with his veteran presence.

8) David Wright

Just a few years ago, David Wright would have been much higher on this list. From a young age, Wright has been a leader for the New York Mets.

He had no problem being a player that his teammates could rally behind and he was willing to motivate them on the field. However, his own struggles have taken away a bit from his leadership efforts in recent years.

7) Ryan Braun

Ryan Braun has become popular with both the fans and his teammates as a result of his production and on the field leadership abilities.

Braun is still young, but he provides someone that members of the Milwaukee Brewers can turn to. He has led them through many tough situations this year.

6) Paul Konerko

There are just three teams in the MLB that have team captains. One of those teams is the Chicago White Sox and they are led by Paul Konerko.

Not only does Konerko lead his teammates while he is on the field, but he also has a wealth of off the field information that he can provide them with.

5) Evan Longoria

Leaders step up in big situations. Evan Longoria managed to do it twice this year in the Tampa Bay Rays' biggest game of the year.

Longoria is yet another young player who has taken on a leadership role with his team. The Rays have a number of young players who are inspired by Longoria's on the field performance and demeanor.

4) Joe Mauer

The Minnesota Twins were without their leader for half of the games they played this year and it most definitely showed. The team struggled without Joe Mauer.

The hometown hero does everything the right way for the Twins. He plays hard and he is able to lead his teammates with both his words and his actions.

3) Jason Varitek

The Boston Red Sox are one of the teams that employ a captain. Jason Varitek is undoubtedly the team's leader even if he is not on the field everyday.

Varitek is a free agent after the 2011 season and he has more value to the Red Sox than to any other team because of his leadership abilities.

2) Ivan Rodriguez

From a very young age, Ivan Rodriguez showed leadership skills and scouts took notice. This maturity allowed him to become a leader once he reached the majors.

It should be no surprise that when he signed with the Washington Nationals, that even with a reduced number of appearances in the starting lineup, he could not stop leading his teammates. He caught Stephen Strasburg's debut and did a great job of making him feel comfortable during it.

1) Derek Jeter

Was there really every any question about who would be No. 1 on this list? Derek Jeter earned the nickname "The Captain" because of his leadership abilities.

Jeter is quite possibly the greatest on the field leader in the history of the game. It has never been about him, except for when he collected his 3,000th hit, it has always been about the team.